Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Vera-Til SR 120mg & 240mg Tablets

(Verapamil Hydrochloride)

□ What Vera-Til SR is and what it is used for

The active ingredient in this medicine is called verapamil hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers which are used to treat high blood pressure, or to help control angina (chest pain). It works by reducing the heart rate and increasing coronary blood flow. Vera-Til SR Tablets may be used after a heart attack in order to prevent further heart attacks.

What you need to know before you take Vera-Til SR

Do not take Vera-Til SR Tablets:

■    if you are allergic to verapamil or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. (listed in section 6)

■    if you have had a heart attack, which has been followed by a slow heart rate, low blood pressure or breathlessness

■    if you have a weak heart which may cause breathlessness and tiredness

■    if you have an abnormal or slow heartbeat (unless controlled by a pacemaker) or had heart block

■    if you have had congestive heart failure

■    if you have low blood pressure

■    if you have blocked veins in your heart

■    if you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Vera-Til

SR Tablets if any of the following apply to you:

■    If you have liver disease

■    If you have kidney disease

■    If you have suffered heart failure or have heart problems

■    If you are taking statins for lowering cholesterol, such as simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin (see section 2)

■    If you have a neuro-muscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis (chronic fatigue and muscular weakness), Lambert-Eaton syndrome or advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Blood pressure should regularly be checked when being

treated with Vera-Til SR Tablets.

Children and adolescents

There are no data on the use of Vera-Til SR Tablets in children and adolescents.

Other medicines and Veratil SR Tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, even those not prescribed but bought without a prescription, or the following:

Other medicines which may interact with Vera-Til SR Tablets:

■    Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller (NSAID), used to relieve pain and reduce fever

■    Medicines for high blood pressure and heart conditions such as:

-    prazosin and terazosin (alpha blockers)

-    propanolol and metoprolol (beta-blockers)

Vera-Til must not be taken with beta-blockers given by injection

-    water tablets (diuretics)

-    vasodilators, such as hydralazine

■    Medicines for irregular heart beat or heart failure (cardiac glycosides), such as digoxin and digitoxin

■    Other medicines for irregular or rapid heartbeat, (anti-arrhythmics), such as flecainide, quinidine

■    Medicines for epilepsy (anti-convulsants), such as carbamazepine and phenytoin

■    Medicines for depression, such as imipramine (antidepressants) and St. John's Wort (herbal product)

■    Glibenclamide, for certain types of diabetes

■    Medicinces used to prevent rejection after organ transplants (immunosuppressants), such as ciclosporin, everolimus, tacrolimus or sirolimus,

■    Theophylline, for bronchial asthma

■    Rifampicin, an antibiotic for various infections, in particular tuberculosis

■    Lithium, for depression or mania

■    Cimetidine, for the treatment and prevention of ulcers and to reduce stomach acidity

■    Ivabradine, for chest pain (angina)

■    Erythromycin, telithromycin and clarithromycin, for bacterial infections

■    Doxorubicin, for cancer

■    Medicines used for lowering cholesterol (known as 'statins'), such as simvastatin, atorvastatin and lovastatin

■    Barbiturates, for anxiety, difficulty sleeping and epilepsy, such as phenobarbital and primidone

■    Buspirone, for anxiety

■    Midazolam, used as a sedative or anaesthetic

■    Colchicine and sulfinpyrazone for gout

■    Ritonavir, for HIV

■    Almotriptan, used to treat migraine

■    Anaesthetics which are inhaled

■    Medicines used to relax and paralyse muscles before an operation, such as atracurium

Vera-Til SR Tablets with food and drink and alcohol

Do not drink grapefruit juice whilst taking this medicine.

The consumption of alcohol should be avoided when taking Vera-Til SR Tablets.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding Pregnancy

Do not use this product If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Vera-Til SR Tablets should not be given during the first trimester of pregnancy unless your doctor has told you that it is safe to do so.

Breast-feeding

Do not use this product if you are breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you that it is safe to do so.

Driving and using machines

Vera-Til SR may influence your ability to drive, use machinery or work under hazardous conditions. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or increasing the dose, do not drive or work machinery and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Vera-Til SR Tablets contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

How to take Vera-Til SR Tablets

Always take Vera-Til SR Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

■    Vera-Til SR Tablets should be taken orally

■    Vera-Til SR Tablets should be swallowed whole without chewing with some liquid

The recommended dose is:

Adults:

High blood pressure: The usual dose is one 240mg Vera-Til SR Tablet daily. If you are new to verapamil therapy, your doctor may prescribe half the usual dose, one Vera-Til SR Tablet 120mg daily. Most patients respond to

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